Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-07-14
CLEVELAND At CLINTON.
THE PRESIDENT AND WIFE AT HIS
BOYHoOD HOME.

Recalling Memories of the Long Ago
Some Reflections on the Presidency and
the Peoples Responsibility.
CLINTON, N Y, July l4-This place, the
boyhood home of President Cleveland, was in
gala attire Wednesday, on the occasion of its
celebration of the Tooth anniversary of its
settlement The president and Mrs Cleve-
land reached here about 10 a m, and were
received with enthusiastic expressions OF vel
come by a vast concourse at the railway sta
ton, from whence they were escorted TO Mrs
o. S. Williams residence. The town was full
of people, there being twice as many visitors
probably, as there are inhabitants, and public
buildings and private residences we're gaiiy
decorated with bunting and evergreen
The procession which escorted the presi
Dental party to Mrs. Williams home con-
sisted of six divisions, one consisting Of des-
eendants Of the Indians who gave the site for
the town. The parade was reviewed by the
president and party, and then a reception was
held at which about 5000 people called on the
distinguished visitors
There was bat one post G. A R, in the
parade
conveyed to the park where an address of
welcome was delivered and the president re-
sponded He touched in humorous vein on
his bovish experiences at school, the people
he had known when boy, and other matters
of interest to the citizens of the village and
closed as follows:
] know that YOU will bear with me-, my friends.
if weld to the impulse which the mention Of
home creates. and speak of my own home here,
and how through the memories which cluster
about il I NAV claim tender relationship to your
village Here it was that our family circle en-
tire parents and children lived day after day in
loving and affectiouate converSs and here for the
| last time We met around the family altar and
thanked God that our household was unbroken by
death or separation We never met in any other
home after leaving this, and death followed
closely cur departure.
Aud thus it is with the passing years survey
| the havoc death has made and the thoughts of
my early home become more and more sacred
| the remembrance Of this pleasant spot so related
| Is revived and chastened can only add my
thanks for the privilege Of being with you to-day,
and wish for the village Of Clinton in the future
continuation and increase OF the blessings Of the
| past
| At the conclusion of the ceremonies at the
| park, the president was entertained at ban
| ItIct HliIH " t.lc tOoStr Ut
| President" He spoke as follows:
Il am inclined to content myself on this
| occasion with an acknowledgment on behalf
| of the people of the United States of the COIN
| pliment which you have paid TO the Office
| which represents their sovereignty. But
such acknowledgment suggests an idea which
l can not refrain dwelling upon for mo-
| ment That the office of president of the
| United States does represent the sovereignty
of 50, 0G,000 Of people is TO my mind state
| rnent full Of solemuity, for this sovereignty
| conceive to be the working out or enforce
| ment of the divine gift of man TO govern
| himself, and manifestation Of Gods plans
| concerning the human race Though the
struggles of political parties TO secure the in
| cumhency of this Office and the questionable
| methods resorted to for its possession
| may not be in keeping with this idea, and
| though the deceit pTacticed to mislead the
| people in their choice, and its too frequent
| influence on their suffrage may surprise us,
| these things should never lead us astray in
| our estimate of this exalted position and its
| value and dignity And though your fellow
| citizen who may be chosen to perform for a
| time the duties of this highest place should
be badly selected, and though the best at
| tainable results may not be reached by his
| administration, yet the exacting watchful-
ness of the people, freed from the disturbing
turmoil of political excitement, ought to pre-
vent mischance to the office which represent;
their sovereignty, and should reduce to Q
| minimum the danger of harm TO the state
Il by no means underestimate the import
ance of utmost care and circumspection III
a.. n Il
trary, believe there is no obligation of cit
zenship that demands more thought and
conscientious leliberation than this But
am speaking of the citizens duty to the Office
and its seiected ineuHlbents. This duty il
only performed when in the interest of tn,
entire people the full exercise of the power
OF the chief magistracy is insisted on, ant
when for the peoples safety due regard FOL
the limitations placed upon the Office is ex
acted These things should he enforced by
the manifestation of caln1 and enlightened
public opinion But this should not b.
simulated by the mad clamor of disappointed
interests. which, without regard for the gen
eral good, or allowance for th
exercise of official Judgment, woult
degrade the office by forcing com
pIiance with selfish demands If YOU
president should not he of the people and on
of your fellow citizens he would be utterl,
unfit for the poSitiou-incapable of under
standiug the peoples wants, and careless o
their desires. That he is one Of the peopl
implies that he is subject to human frailt
and error: trt he should be permitted t
claim but little liberation for mistakes; th
generosity Of his fellow citizens should alon
| 60.
his shortcomings
| Watch well. then, this high office, th
most precious possession of American cit
zenship Demand for if the most complet
devotion on the part of him to whose custod
it may be entrusted, and protect it not les
violently from unworthy assaults from with
cut. Thus will you perform a sacred duty Z
yourselves and to those who may follow yo
| in the enjoyment of the freest institution
which heaven has ever vouchsated to man.
, The president and party started on thei
+ return to Utica at about p. m. the train moN
, ing off amidst roar uf cheers from the a!
senbled thousands
. President Cleveland's father moved I
Clinton in 1S47, and lived there until lSt5:
He WIS very hospitable and great favoritl
He was secretary of the Home Missionary sc
ciety and became acquainted with clergvme
all over the state. M. Clevelands wife WI
: 4 cultivated woman. and greatly beloveS
s During the time they lived in Clinton, Grove
] attended Clinton Liberal Institute. Early
2 1853 the Cleveland family removed to Ho
land Patent, and in October of the same ves
+ Rev Mr. Cl.y eI;ini died His widow live
in the sarns house Tor twenty yeaI
! sttefward
UTICA, n. Y. July H. The president an
> Mrs Cleveland reached Utica from Clinic
IT 6 D m, and were met at the station b
: ;senat4r Kernans carriage, which they el
t,,f4si and were escorted by the Utica Jacl
ss,nia1is through the principal streets to tt
senator's residence The time was favorab
Tor large crowd and there were Thousand
on the streets. The party dined at Senate
= keinan's. and at 745 Mr.. and Mrs. Clevt
land gave reception mt hte Buttertield hon
patiois Fully lu,nD people we're in front
the hotel and les than 1000 were BILE TO
presented Considerable enthusiasm wa
manifested.
Prohibition declared Success.
CHICAGO, July 1i-Mr William I
+ Smith. of the Associated Press. has receiy ed
=. letter from Governor Martin. of Kansas.